Who Would Command China's Military in a War? Two Generals Behind the Mystery

Nov 08, 2026 - 10:49

China's military has lost more than 80% of its publicly active full generals since 2022. But if war breaks out tomorrow, who would actually command the PLA?
As Beijing's military leadership faces unprecedented turmoil, two surprising figures have emerged: retired General Li Zuocheng and Lieutenant General Zhu Chuansheng.
Could a retired general be influencing China's military operations from behind the scenes? And what does their connection reveal about the PLA's hidden command structure?
We examine the mysterious leadership changes, the powerful Joint Staff Department, and who might be calling the shots in a conflict over Taiwan or the China–India border.